I don't mind admitting that I feel a particular connection to the Western General Hospital. I'm one of a number of people who were born in the maternity unit before it closed in 1992. It has been my local hospital for most of life. And now, I'm one of a select group who not only … Continue reading Born at the Western | Chris Stirling
A Historical Perspective | Martin Eastwood
Martin Eastwood and Anne Jenkinson’s ‘History of the Western General Hospital’ is an amazing 250 pages of detailed description of the beginnings of healthcare provision in the west, on the other hand some say east, of Edinburgh until around 25 years ago. So popular is the publication that it is difficult to get hold of. … Continue reading A Historical Perspective | Martin Eastwood
Scottish Half Marathon + 10K
The weather forecast for the 'festival of running' hadn't been all that brilliant. Strom Ali on the Wednesday had been impressive in its ferocity and further wind and rain had been forecast for the rest of the week including Sunday. I'm a seasoned runner and not put off by a bit of weather, however I … Continue reading Scottish Half Marathon + 10K
The Western General Action Group | Dave Pickering
Digging through some Western General images on the amazing Scottish digital archive that is SCRAN, I came across a couple of pictures of people protesting outside the Western General. I was fascinated to find out a bit more and soon found a local social history group who also had some information about a campaign to … Continue reading The Western General Action Group | Dave Pickering
An Army Marches on Its Stomach | WGH Soft Facilities
I recently had the pleasure of meeting some folk involved in the inner workings of the Western General Hospital – those involved in catering, domestic services and portering. The more I look into life at the Western, the more I understand just how important all the different disciplines are in making sure that the patients … Continue reading An Army Marches on Its Stomach | WGH Soft Facilities
A man of many interests | Vaughan Ruckley
Sport has featured prominently in Vaughan’s life. A keen tennis player from an early age he still keeps his hand in two or three times a week. But I found that Vaughan is no singly talented person. Not only did he play tennis at a high level when at university, once his studies were over … Continue reading A man of many interests | Vaughan Ruckley
Training to be a Nurse | Tessa Macintyre
Tessa Millar (now Macintyre) trained at the Western General Hospital in the early 1960s and in our conversation it soon became clear that life in the 60s was quite different. Tessa left school at 17 and applied for a job as a student nurse at the Western, where her interview questions included ‘What does your … Continue reading Training to be a Nurse | Tessa Macintyre
Nearly 100 Marathons | Allan Price
After the very well attended Edinburgh Park Run in June it was suggested I should meet up with Allan, not only a well-respected Consultant in Clinical Oncology at the Western General, but also a runner of nearly one hundred marathons. My interest was piqued, possibly because I have a run a few marathons myself. When … Continue reading Nearly 100 Marathons | Allan Price
WGH150 | Your Ideas and Suggestions
Chris Stirling, Site Director and Catriona Rostron, Associate Nurse Director have established a small working group of people to assist in the planning the 150th anniversary of care being provided on the Western General site. The group comprises existing and retired staff, and is supported by colleagues from the Edinburgh and Lothian Health Foundation, Lothian … Continue reading WGH150 | Your Ideas and Suggestions
A Place for Innovation | Iain MacIntyre
I arrived at Café 1505 part of Surgeons Hall complex on Nicholson Street. I was soon joined by Iain MacIntyre who had, quite by chance, met Vaughan Ruckley, formerly a surgeon at the Western who had given Iain his first job as a house surgeon there in 1968 - it’s a small world! Iain told … Continue reading A Place for Innovation | Iain MacIntyre